A bearcat managed to escape its enclosure at the zoo weeks after he temporarily went missing weeks ago.
Dartmoor Zoo said the Palawan Binturong, named Malu, was found in a small woodshed in the Devon countryside in the UK.
They said the animal was secured and transported back to the zoo where he was ‘settling in’. A zoo keeper has said initial observations indicate Malu hadn’t suffered any injuries from his time in the countryside.
A resident spotted the bearcat on February 13 and called the zoo, and he was found in a small woodshed next to an allotment. Luckily, his choice of location meant he had found shelter and a food source.
The zoo said it’s reviewing the enclosure to assess any changes that may need to be made. They added Malu would be in a “suitable, temporary enclosure until any works have been completed”.
CEO David Gibson said they were delighted Malue had been found safe and sound.
He added: “Our priority now is for his ongoing welfare and care.
“We will be working hard over the next few days to ensure that he is in good health and that there is no possibility of him escaping his enclosure again.”
Dartmoor Zoo’s animal manager, Maddy, shared: “Malu has been eating well overnight and seems calm and in good health. The team will continue to monitor him to ensure he is doing well. At this time, the team are enjoying a very emotional reuniting with a much-missed Malu.”
He had previously escaped for a short time before being found within the zoo site a few weeks ago.
The Zoo said the animals are “incredible creatures, as well as being great climbers, they famously smell of popcorn”.
Bearcats, or Binturongs, are not related to bears or cats despite the name. They come from the Viverridae family, closely related to genets, civets and fossa.
Malu arrived at the zoo in 2023 and has become a favorite with visitors. Bearcats are mainly found in Asia but are considered vulnerable due to the illegal pet trade, fur poaching, deforestation and being captured for civet coffee.
In Laos, the animal is caught and eaten as a special treat. Malu, from the Philippines, was rescued and brought to the UK.
When they received Malu last summer, the zoo wrote: “Our binturong is a magnificent animal, a symbol of the diversity and beauty of our natural world.
“But this incredible animal has suffered greatly at the hands of those who did not understand the importance of protecting and respecting all living beings. For far too long, he endured neglect and abuse, living a life of fear and pain.”
